The Washington critic., 1887-10-22
MY NARROW ESCAPE.


Inever told anybody how very near
i was to death that night, just year
ago; but as l can now look back and
calmly recall each thought, each word,
each act, think will write 1t down
as warning TO all who may find them.
selves similarly circumstanced, hoping
with all my heart, that the number
may be few.
In the first place, my name Is Fred.
erick Putnam. l am. and have been
for the last ten years, the foreman and
bookkeeper of the large numbering es.
tablishment of William Winston 4 Co.,
and hope to be for another decade, un.
less something better turns up.
"Well, one cold December evening,
Just as was preparing to go home. l
heard footsteps on the creaking snow
outside and presently the door flew
open, as though some one In haste had
given 1t push, admitting tall, stout,
well.dressed man, with a small trav.
cling bag In one hand and shawl
thrown over one arm.
Good evening, SIR" said the man,
hustling up to the stove and kicking
the damper open with his right foot
elias Winston gone to the house?"
] answered that he had.
81 wanted to leave some money with
Winston. l intended to stop In town a
day or two, but have just got dis.
patch that calls me home"
What name. sir p
ttAnIarcnp Of Apdnrconyillo ~
/ knew him, then, though had seen
ono of our best Western customers, but
had allowed his account to run behind,
and, at Mr.. Winston's request, | had
just written him letter punching
him up little"
"You can leave the money with ME,
sir, and l will give you receipt" l
said.
How much is my bill ?" he asked,
cycling me sharply.
l answered promptly, for had struck
the balance not more than half an hour
before:
eleven thousand seven hundred
and fifty dollars and twenty three
cents"
"Humph less than 1 supposed.
Write out receipt for that amount"
Hardly had he counted out the money
when we heard the whistle for the sta
tion. Anderson sprang for his travel
Ing bag, and giving me a hasty hand.
shake, was of on the run.
/ closed the door aud counted the
money again. Finding It all right,
wrapped piece Of newspaper around
it and slipped 1t into my overcoat
pocket, intending 10 deposit It in the
bank the next day. AS / turned to
leave the office, saw bit of paper on
the floor, which, on picking up, saw
was the receipt wrote for Mr.. Ander.
son. He had dropped It In his hurry.
put 1t in my pocket and thought no
more about 1t, only that I would mail
1t to him. That evening l spent with
Carrie Warner, young lady who
hoped would become my wife before
many months. When l was ready to
go home, Carrie went into the entry for
my coat and hat, that l might put
them on by the warm fire, but she
came back with only my hat.
why, Fred, you certainly did not
venture out on such night as this
without an overcoat? p
mo coat ?" exclaimed, In dazed
sort OF way, for the thought OF the
money, flashing upon me so suddenly,
had almost stunned me.
The next moment tore past her like
mailman, as / was. The coat wa;
gone.
Then was unnerved. grasped al
the stair rail and caught 1t just In time
to support myself. Carrie came run.
ming out, her face pale with alarm.
ooh, Fred. are you sickg Let me
call mother and the doctor. You are as
white as sheet -
mo, no. Carrie |" | entreated
"There, am better now"
And l was better. was strong oil
at Once-desperalely strong. Aud wha
brought about this changer Th,
simple receipt which / had In my
pocket. Anderson had nothing to sho :
that the money had been paid; and was
not my unaided word as good as his
l was foolish enough to believe that
] could brave 1t through, and l gre "
confident and quite easy at once.
"There, Carrie, / am much better
now. The room was too warm,
guess. So some sneak thief has dodget
in and stole my coat. Well, let 1t go
1t was only nm old one, and I'll have :
better one.
You may guess that my slumbcrS
that night were not very sound, O
very refreshing. never passed a NOR,
miserable night. aud in the morning
was haggard almost beyond recognl
tion. went down to the Office, bu
could not stand the strain aud PLEADED
sickness. went to my room and 81
for hours In n dazed condition. NJ
landlady, several OF my fellow board
ers. Mr.. Winston, and physician h
had summoned, all came to my door
but | would not admit them. wa
desperate.
All those were terrible hours
passed, and the night coming o
brought me no relief. Can you no
guess what was medita,ing2 Cowar
that I was, had at last resolved upo
self destruction.
commenced my preparations VIII
the same Calmness and delberation tina
l would have used in the most commo
transaction. | wrote short eXplana
tion for Carrie, another for Mr.. Wln'
ton, a third for my poor mother aud
scaled them all. In fourth envelop
iuClOsed the receipt to Mr.. Anderson
Then got my revolver and place
the cold mu2Zle to my forehead.
In another second | should have bee
llfeless, but lust as my finger began I
press the trigger there came tap o
, my door.
1t startled me, and hastily cancealln
my weapon | called out that | cJul
: admit no one.
"Not me, Fred2"
J knew Carries voice, and Year,
ing TO look on her loved face got th
mastery of me, Quietly Slipping til